Your Guide to the UK Skilled Worker Visa

Step 1

Who the visa is for.

The Skilled Worker visa is for people with a job offer from a UK employer that holds a sponsor licence. The job must be at the required skill level and pay at least the required salary.

If your role is in healthcare, you may qualify for the Health and Care Worker visa instead, which has lower fees and no health surcharge.

Step 2

Your job offer and Certificate of Sponsorship.

Your employer assigns you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). Check these details carefully, because mistakes cause refusals:

• Your name and passport details
• Job title and occupation code
• Salary and weekly hours
• Start date and work location

Step 3

Reaching 70 points.

You need 70 points. Fifty come from mandatory requirements: a sponsored job offer, the right skill level and English language. The other 20 usually come from your salary.

Some people can trade points, for example if their occupation is on the Immigration Salary List or they hold a relevant PhD.

Step 4

Costs to budget for.

• The visa application fee, which depends on the length of your visa
• The Immigration Health Surcharge for each year of your visa
• Personal savings to show you can support yourself, unless your sponsor certifies maintenance
• English test, TB test and translation costs where needed
• The same costs for each dependant who comes with you

Step 5

Common mistakes to avoid.

1. 01Applying with an incorrect occupation code or salary on the CoS
2. 02Bank statements that do not cover the required holding period
3. 03Missing tuberculosis test results from a listed country
4. 04Starting work before the visa is granted
5. 05Forgetting to apply for dependants at the same time

Step 6

After you are approved.

The UK now uses eVisas, a digital record of your immigration status linked to your UKVI account. You use it to prove your right to work and rent, and to travel.

Keep your contact details up to date, and tell your employer if your circumstances change.